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A group of seriously ill children and their families visit the UK’s home of Father Christmas, thanks to Rays of Sunshine and LaplandUK

A group of eight seriously ill children and their families got to experience the magic of Christmas when they visited LaplandUK, the UK’s home of Father Christmas, thanks to Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity.

The children included Callum (8), who is currently living with Neurofibromatosis, cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease, Noah (7), who is currently living with Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy, Josh (3), who is living with Hepatoblastoma, which causes cancerous tumours, Matthew (5), who is living with a rare neurological disorder, Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy, Cora (3), living with a brain tumour, Sophie (4), who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma earlier this year, Isabel (7) living with a neurodegenerative disorder called Battens Disease, and Charlotte (7) who is living with a serious kidney condition.

The families were transported to the festive and enchanted forest at LaplandUK where all of the children got the chance to take part in lots of festive activities including; helping the Elves in the toy factory, meeting the Reindeer, helping Mother Christmas make gingerbread men and even meeting the main man himself, Father Christmas. The magical day gave the children the opportunity to feel truly special for the day and to create some precious family memories at Christmas.

Vivky, Charlotte’s mum, said:

“A huge thank you to Rays of Sunshine for sorting the tickets for LaplandUK. The children (and ourselves) had a fabulous time. It was such a wonderful experience and the memories will stay with us all forever, I am sure. Every part of it was so magical and it was lovely to see such delighted faces and huge smiles from our children. Thanks to all at Rays of Sunshine for recognising that having the whole family involved is so important.”

Jane Sharpe, CEO of Rays of Sunshine, added:

“Christmas is a magical time for year for every family and for wish families it is even more poignant. Family memories are even more precious when the future is uncertain. That’s why we’re so grateful to LaplandUK for their ongoing support of Rays of Sunshine and for continuing to enable us to offer such wonderful experiences to our wish children, their siblings and parents.”

The day was made possible thanks to LaplandUK, the award-winning immersive and theatrical Christmas experience for children. As a supporter of Rays of Sunshine, LaplandUKenabled the group of brave and deserving children to experience the true magic of Christmas by offering them all complimentary family tickets.